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Chicago formed in its namesake city in 1967 with the aim of combining a rock rhythm section and a prominent horn section. The musicians brought backgrounds in jazz, R&B and other styles to that approach. Their first...

Ottawa-born Paul Anka developed a career as both a singer and a songwriter. Diana and Lonely Boy became familiar parts of his own repertoire, while other performers recorded his compositions, including Tom Jones with...

Elton John and Bernie Taupin composition about enduring love

Charlie Rich combined country singing with a pianist's grounding in blues and jazz. His early band, the Velvetones, reflected those interests, and Memphis club work led to songwriting and session work at Sun Records....

Cover of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1968 hit

Patriotic spoken word piece originally by Gordon Sinclair

Story of a mentally ill girl with magical powers

John Denver developed as a songwriter and performer in the Los Angeles folk scene before joining the Chad Mitchell Trio. Peter, Paul and Mary's recording of his Leaving on a Jet Plane introduced his writing to a...

Latin and funk fusion celebrating life

McCartney's experiences with The Beatles and desire for freedom

Appreciation for life's blessings despite economic challenges

Nostalgia for 1960s California beach culture

Satirical view of the music industry and glam rock

Romantic ballad celebrating a loving relationship

Anti-war sentiment set during the American Civil War

Dance and funk music trends

Satirical view of human behavior and society

Plea for support in times of need

White's signature romantic style and deep voice

Freedom and escape from past relationships

Father-son relationship and the cycle of neglect

Tribute to radio DJ Wolfman Jack

Native American heritage and pop-rock fusion

Funk and disco trends of the early 1970s

Harrison's spiritual journey and unexpected success

Story-song about a fortune teller and infidelity

Rock and roll lifestyle and rebellion

Cover of Roy Hamilton's 1958 R&B hit

Collaboration with Bernie Taupin about fading relationships

Encouraging optimism and self-confidence

Romantic ballad originally in Spanish, later translated

Cover of Robert Knight's 1967 hit about enduring love

Joy and excitement of new love

Sensual love song written by Eugene McDaniels

Criticism of greed and materialism

Early disco movement and dance culture

Disillusionment with fame and nostalgia for simpler times

Encouragement to persevere through tough times

Finding joy in a loving relationship

Young love and puppy romance

Wings began in 1971 around Paul McCartney, Linda McCartney and Denny Laine. The group developed its own touring and studio life through a changing lineup, with Jimmy McCulloch and Joe English joining the core trio...

Mitchell's reflections on love and freedom

Glamour and excitement of Hollywood lifestyle

Cover of B.J. Thomas' 1968 hit with added "ooga-chaka" intro

Billy Swan grew up in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, listening to country music before discovering rock and roll. He learned drums, piano and guitar and began writing songs while young. His recording career is closely...

Unrequited love and honesty in relationships

Simple pleasures and joys of life

Cover of Bob Marley's reggae hit

Croce's way of expressing love to his wife

Metaphor comparing life's journey to a train ride

Cover of Don & Dewey's 1957 R&B hit

Power of music to inspire and energize

Overcoming relationship challenges

Country-pop crossover about commitment in relationships

McCartney's Labrador Retriever, also named Jet

Funk and dance music trends

Plea for reconciliation in a troubled relationship

Optimism and perseverance in difficult times

Slang term for perseverance and African American culture

Won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 1974 Grammy Awards Inspired by a Don McLean performance

Martial arts movies and pop culture trends

Helen Reddy came from a Melbourne vaudeville family and moved toward an American recording career after winning an Australian television talent contest. She co-wrote I Am Woman with Ray Burton, and the song became...

Taking chances and going with the flow

Supportive love and companionship

Celebration of rock and roll history and radio culture

Urban poverty and systemic racism

Romantic ballad with poetic lyrics

Search for true love and companionship

A power ballad cover of the Everly Brothers' song about the pain of love.

Plea for genuine love beyond superficial attraction

Elton John and Bernie Taupin composition about enduring love

Barry White's instrumental composition celebrating love

War developed in Southern California through work with producer Jerry Goldstein and singer Eric Burdon. Harmonica, saxophone, keyboards and hand percussion joined its rhythm section as the band explored several...

Exotic fantasy with Middle Eastern themes

Power of love to overcome challenges

Power of love to overcome challenges

Cover of the 1963 Inez and Charlie Foxx song

A nostalgic love song about childhood sweethearts.

Humorous song with a twist ending

Romantic ballad with partial Polish lyrics

Duet exploring regret in love

White's signature romantic soul style

Upbeat song about the need for effort in relationships

Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey in Liverpool, played with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes before joining the Beatles in 1962. His drumming emphasized steady time and carefully placed fills. His solo recordings...

Reflections on youth and the passage of time

Perseverance through life's challenges

Celebrating strong, independent women

Glam rock and proto-punk attitudes

Joel's experiences as a lounge pianist

An instrumental funk track inspired by James Brown's horn section.

Story of a traveling musician and long-distance love

A cover of The Marvelettes' 1961 hit, rearranged as a slower ballad.

Unity and celebration in the African American community

Long-distance relationship and driving

Glam rock and androgynous fashion

Complex jazz-rock fusion with cryptic lyrics

Reflections on a music career and sacrifices made

Tribute to deceased rock musicians

Soft rock love song with a gentle groove

Nostalgic look at 1950s rock and roll

Early disco movement and relationship metaphors

Early disco hit written by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch

The Stylistics grew out of two local singing groups in Philadelphia, the Percussions and the Monarchs. You're a Big Girl Now led to a wider recording opportunity with Avco, followed by an album produced by Thom Bell....

English-language adaptation of the French song "Le Moribond" by Jacques Brel

Expressing love openly and honestly

Metaphor comparing a failing relationship to a circus sideshow

Funk and soul trends of the era

Observations of everyday life and experiences

Teenage rebellion and school experiences

Humorous take on childhood fears and growing up

Excitement of going out dancing

Admiration for strong, direct women

Lightfoot's tumultuous relationship with Cathy Smith

Denver's love for nature and simple pleasures

Response to Neil Young's "Southern Man" and "Alabama"

Randy Bachman's work ethic and musical career

Preferring comforting lies over painful truths in a relationship

Funk-influenced song written by Stevie Wonder

Cover of Albert Hammond's song about contentment in love

Bernie Taupin's wife's use of the phrase

Theme from the film "The Sting," based on Scott Joplin's 1902 ragtime composition

Playful lyrics and rock-blues fusion

Cover of Little Eva's 1962 hit, reimagined as a rock song

Cover of Little Eva's 1962 hit

Rock adaptation of the Christian prayer

The museum credits Billy Sherrill, Rory Bourke and Norro Wilson with writing this Charlie Rich hit.

Fictional account of 1920s Chicago gangster era

Perseverance in the face of adversity

Humor based on the 1970s fad of streaking

Theme song for the film of the same name, reflecting on nostalgia and past relationships

Collaborative effort celebrating newfound love

Written for Croce's unborn son

Uplifting love song written by Richard Carpenter and John Bettis

Promoting unity and friendship

Struggles to maintain a relationship

Theme song for the TV show "Soul Train"

Oldfield's experimental progressive rock composition

Written by Stevie Wonder, Morris Broadnax, and Clarence Paul

Perseverance and moving forward in life

Metaphor comparing love to Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo

Fancy was a British recording project initiated by producer Mike Hurst with musicians including guitarist Ray Fenwick and bassist Mo Foster. The original Wild Thing recording featured Helen Court; a later lineup...

Humorous song about marijuana use

Bachman-Turner Overdrive grew from Randy Bachman's work after leaving the Guess Who and from the earlier group Brave Belt. Fred Turner shared vocal duties with Bachman as the band developed a direct, guitar-driven...

Bond between a single mother and her child

Political commentary on Richard Nixon's presidency

Faith and trust in relationships

Gratitude in a loving relationship

Cover of The Beatles' song about a failing relationship

Cover of Johnny Burnette's 1960 hit

A romantic soul ballad celebrating the totality of love.